The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday confirmed its intention to push for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. And has started preparations for a bid with the primary target being its addition to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the body said in a statement.

“We would love for cricket to be a part of future Games. Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future. We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics,” said Greg Barclay.

The ICC has assembled a working group–

England Wales Cricket Board Chair Ian Watmore. He will be joined by ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, Chair of Zimbabwe Cricket Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Associate Member Director and Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram and Chair of USA Cricket Parag Marathe.

Barclay said-

Firstly on behalf of everyone at the ICC, I would like to congratulate the IOC, Tokyo 2020. And the people of Japan for staging such an incredible Games in such difficult circumstances. It truly was fantastic to watch and captured the imagination of the world. We would love for cricket to be a part of future Games.

Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase. Particularly in South Asia where 92% of our fans come from whilst there are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA. The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalising.”
The addition of cricket to the Olympic Games would be beneficial to both the sport and the Games themselves.  

Marathe –

Believes the time is now for cricket to make its long-awaited return to the Olympics. Confident the sport’s inclusion at the showpiece event would accelerate the growth of the game in the USA.

“USA Cricket is thrilled to be able to support cricket’s bid for inclusion in the Olympics. The timing of which aligns perfectly with our continuing plans to develop the sport in the USA,” he said.

A huge global audience and following for the sport around the world. We believe that cricket’s inclusion will add great value to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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